Pulmonaria plant named ‘Trevi Fountain’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct hybrid of Pulmonaria plant characterized by a unique combination of long, slender foliage and cobalt-blue flowers.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct hybrid ofPulmonaria, of the family Boraginaceae, which originated as a crossbetween an unpatented Pulmonaria longifolia plant named ‘BertramAnderson’ (seed parent) and an unpatented Pulmonaria vallarsae plantnamed ‘Margery Fish’ (pollen parent). As the instant plant is the resultof a cross between two different Pulmonaria species, no speciesdesignation is assigned.

This new Pulmonaria is the result of a controlled cross of theaforementioned plants in Canby, Oreg. This hybrid was selected from alarge selection of seedlings. Seed and pollen parent plants wereretained to observe habit and to compare with the instant plant. The newvariety has been reproduced only by asexual propagation (division andtissue culture). Each of the progeny exhibits identical characteristicsto the original plant.

This plant is characterized by the following:

1. Long slender leaves.

2. Large cobalt-blue flowers in spring.

Asexual propagation by division and tissue culture as done in Canby,Oreg., shows that the foregoing characteristics and distinctions cometrue to form and are established and transmitted through succeedingpropagations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing shows a two and a half year old Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’plant growing in the ground in Portland, Oreg.

DETAILED PLANT DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new Pulmonaria hybridbased on observations of two and a half year old field grown specimensin Canby, Oreg. The color descriptions are all based on The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart.

Foliage:

Type.—Simple. Evergreen.

Shape.—Lanceolate.

Length.—15 to 20 cm.

Width.—4 to 6 cm.

Petiole length.—11.5 to 14.5 cm.

Margins.—Entire-ciliolate.

Apex.—Narrowly-acute.

Base.—Attenuate.

Leaf texture.—Setose.

Petiole texture.—Setulose.

Leaf arrangement.—Rosette.

Venation.—Reticulate.

Plant size:

Height.—31 to 35 cm.

Width.—56 to 64 cm.

Flower:

Type.—Perfect.

Shape.—Salverform.

Size.—9 mm from petal tip to petal tip.

Corolla.—5 fused petals.

Calyx.—5 fused sepals.

Ovary position.—Partly inferior.

Carpel number.—4.

Stamen number.—5.

Inflorescence type.—Forked cymes.

Inflorescence number per plant ( 2 -year-old).—40 to 50.

Flower number per inflorescence.—20 to 30 with 5 to 10 open at any giventime.

Peduncle width.—4.5 mm tapering to 2 mm.

Peduncle texture.—Setose.

Blooming height.—25 cm.

Bloom period.—Late February to late April.

Lastingness of the blooms.—Each cyme blooms for about 3 weeks on theplant. Removal of spent cymes will induce secondary and tertiary bloomperiods. This greatly extends the bloom period.

Fragrance.—None.

Fruit:

Type.—4 smooth nutlets, black and shiny, 3 mm by 2 mm.

Fertility.—Fertile.

Plant habit: Clumping.

Disease: Powdery-mildew resistant.

Hardiness: USDA zones 4-9.

COLOR CHARACTERISTICS

Foliage:

Upper surface.—RHS 137A Green Group.

Upper surface, spots.—RHS 191C-D Greyed-Green Group.

Lower surface.—RHS 191A Greyed-Green Group.

Petiole: RHS 146D Yellow-Green Group.

Flower:

Petal.—RHS 82A-B Purple-Violet Group intensifying to RHS 94A Violet-BlueGroup with age.

Sepal.—RHS 147A Yellow-Green Group.

Peduncle: RHS 146B Yellow-Green Group.

Seed: RHS 202A Black Group.

DESCRIPTION OF PARENT PLANTS

The instant plant resulted from a cross between Pulmonaria longifolia‘Bertram Anderson’, and Pulmonaria vallarsae ‘Margery Fish’. Pulmonarialongifolia ‘Bertram Anderson’ has violet-blue flowers and dark green,long, slender leaves with silvery spots. The instant plant differs fromPulmonaria longifolia ‘Bertram Anderson’ in having cobalt-blue flowersand is more powdery-mildew resistant. Pulmonaria vallarsae ‘MargeryFish’ was selected for its powdery-mildew resistance and vigor.Pulmonaria vallarsae ‘Margery Fish’ has a compact form and pink flowersthat turn blue as the flowers mature. The instant plant differs fromPulmonaria vallarsae ‘Margery Fish’ in having narrower, longer foliageand flowers that are held higher and retain their color better.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct hybrid of Pulmonaria plant substantiallyas shown and described, characterized by a unique combination of long,slender foliage and cobalt-blue flowers.